Not quite as big as King Kong, the mountain gorilla is still one big ape. Most of the time, this creature is a gentle giant, but like the movie monster it can turn ferocious. Mountain gorillas live in family groups led by a huge male, and spend most of their days eating plants and resting. If an intruder comes along, the male leader springs into action and puts on a terrifying display of anger and strength to chase away any threats.
Going Gray: A large male always takes the lead of a mountain gorilla family group. Dominant males are called "silverbacks" because, as they mature, a diamond-shaped patch of hair on their back turns gray or silver.
Helping Hand: The mountain gorilla looks like it would make a fierce predator, but this great ape eats mostly plants. The creature's hands are very human-like, with an opposable thumb that's used for grabbing leaves and stems and pulling them from the ground.
We are Family[]
Male mountain gorillas scowl at any type of intruder.
The silverback is the sole protector of a family group of mountain gorillas, and he doesn't put up with any intruders, be it a human, a leopard or even another gorilla. If any such creature wanders near his group, he rushes toward it, letting out a series of deep barks and standing on his hind legs to show his full size. He then beats his hands repeatedly on his chest in a show of aggression. If the intruder doesn't back down or submit, the silverback will charge at it at, and let out a fierce scream with his mouth wide open, showing off his huge canine teeth.
Time to Move On: When about 11 years old, a male mountain gorilla leaves his family group and sets off on his own. He might join with other young males for a few years before attracting females to join him in his own group.
Living High: The mountain gorilla lives in the misty mountains forests of central Africa, and can survive the cold temperatures at altitudes up to 11,000 feet. Each day, a family group travels up to half a mile up and down the mountains.
Follow the Leader[]
- A silverback wakes the members of his family group in the morning and leads them to find some food. The others follow him to search for a meal.
- They stop to eat some bamboo, biting through the hard stems with their canine teeth to get at the soft insides. They eat until mid-day, then take a rest.
- After resting, the gorillas go to find more food. As the sun goes down, the silverback decides that it's time for bed. Each gorilla builds a small nest of leaves on which to sleep.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The multi-paneled illustration on the back, "Follow the Leader", is also featured in the Wildlife Explorer card. Here, titled "Typical Day", there is an additional panel of the male gorilla eating bamboo.
- The scientific name used, Gorilla gorilla, is incorrect and refers to the Western gorilla. The correct scientific name is Gorilla beringei beringei.
- This incorrectly makes the Western gorilla the "featured" species.
- The main heading on the back, "We Are Family", is possibly a reference to the 1979 Sister Sledge song of the same name.
- It shares this heading with Killer Whale and Butterfly Bugs.
- The mountain gorilla, as a generic "gorilla", is mentioned on several other cards:
- It is used as a comparison for the Chalicotherium on it's trading card.
- It is compared in size to its larger ancestor, the Gigantopithecus, on the latter's knowledge cards.
- It is mentioned on the Slow Loris knowledge card, as the loris is considered linked to their ancestors.
- It is mentioned on Bigfoot's knowledge card, as people claim it may be a missing link between humans and other primates.
- The mountain gorilla is featured on several Monster Mania cards:
- It is pit against the Leopard in a Smack Down on Monster Mania 85.
- It is then featured in Savage Serengeti on Monster Mania 92.
- Mountain gorilla's knowledge card is one of three to reference King Kong, along with Gigantopithecus and Giant Ants.